2011 Nissan Cube

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2011 nissan cube Reviews and News

2011 Nissan Cube

By
Automobile Magazine
- 12/22/2010

After the success of the company's Scion XB, the cube takes over as Nissan's box on the road. This class includes the Element from Honda and Kia's Soul. The Cube does its best to standout from the pack by utilizing unique styling cues, such as a wraparound rear window, a side opening rear door and a spacious cabin offering a reclining rear seat and high style headliner.

The Cube is a four door hatchback. With plentiful headroom and legroom for all occupants, the Cube is good place to spend some time. However, it does lack some of the cargo space of the competition.

The cube is based on Nissan's B platform and is powered by a 122 HP 1.8 liter four cylinder which can be mounted to either a six speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission, or CVT. Some of the drive train features are somewhat less modern. The beam rear suspension, drum brakes and 15" wheels are some examples of these. The cube also has a higher than normal center of gravity and soft suspension, giving it less than confidence inspiring.

Nissan is not shy about poking fun of its competitors. Just look back a few months ago at its ad calling the Chevy Volt out on its gas-powered range-extender. Nissan is back at it again, but this time it’s giving Honda a hard time for its supply-related issues.

The Cube Krom's over-the-top body-cladding and extra bling is not my style -- I do really like the checkerboard seat fabric though -- but the moment I opened the door and slid into the driver's seat I remembered what made our Four Seasons Cube so easy to live with. The wide opening doors, cushy seats, low step-in height, and compact footprint make the Cube easy to drive and an absolutely perfect urban vehicle.

Over the weekend, I went to visit a friend who owns a Ford F-150 and a Porsche Boxster. He took one look at the Nissan Cube Krom I parked in his driveway and started to laugh at the "cartoon car" I was driving. I didn't even try to argue with him, because the Cube (especially in Krom trim) really does look like a car that Roger Rabbit might drive. This Cube has the same strengths and shortcomings as our recently departed Four Seasons test car. It has a compact footprint but a roomy interior, so it's a great car for city driving. The side-opening hatch door provides access to a fairly sizeable cargo hold. However, the Cube's continuously variable transmission saps any fun you might have pushing the 122-hp four-cylinder engine. There's a loud drone as the car accelerates, and while the noise dissipates once you're up to speed, wind noise on the highway is quite noticeable -- not particularly surprising when you're driving a vehicle that's shaped like a, well, a cube.

The Nissan Cube has made a name for itself being both funky and different. Nissan has always prided its quirky little five-door hatch as being perfect for the young, fashionable urban drivers—especially in Japan. To further cater to its core audience, Nissan recently announced a new special edition version of its refrigerator-on-wheels, the Cube 15x Green Komorebi Selection complete with some very questionable interior styling.